OTHM Level 7 Global Supply Chain Vulnerabilities Assignment: WSJ Case Study on Logistics & Project Risks in Consumer Goods

You are responsible for preparing a report on the interactions between Projects and Logistics addressing issues captured in the video.

How to submit: Upload the electronic document via OnlineCampus

Assessment Brief

Introduction

Every day, millions of sailors, truck drivers, longshoremen, warehouse workers and delivery drivers keep mountains of goods moving into stores and homes to meet consumers’ increasing expectations of convenience and delivering projects. This complex movement of goods underpinning the global economy is far more vulnerable than many imagined. (From the WSJ video below).

Why Global Supply Chains May Never Be the Same | A WSJ Documentary – YouTube

Supply Chains of the future need to be different, to be more resilient and address vulnerabilities. The video introduces specific examples where vulnerabilities have impacted supply chains: cycles, kettlebells, shoes, PlayStation; there are others, toilet rolls, semi-conductors, and the recent incident in Baltimore, for instance.

As a Logistics and Project Management expert in your chosen industry sector, you have been asked to investigate these vulnerabilities, identify risks, and make recommendations based on your research.

Your Task

Watch the video, and research other sources, to understand how different vulnerabilities manifest themselves in global supply chains.

Based on your research you will need to compose a report that will include the following:

1. Executive summary of your investigation, recommendations, and associated risks.
2. A problem statement that you have identified from the WSJ video and other sources.
3. A literature review considering the topics identified in the investigation phase including the relevant APLM module teaching and learning material. All sources need to be fully referenced, along with critical reasoning for their inclusion.
4. Recommendations on how problems identified can be managed and resolved underpinned by the literature review.
5. A set of risks related to your recommendations.
6. A project plan outlining the steps you would take to implement your recommendations; this should include aspects of change management and a project schedule.
7. A PowerPoint set of slides identifying the key points of your report (max 7 slides).

Your report should be no more than 5000 words and use diagrams/illustrations/tables/graphs etc., to demonstrate the application of your project and logistics management skillsets.

The PowerPoint slides are not part of the 5,000-word count.

Report Structure

The report should include:

1. Cover page that details:
   • Project title
   • Student ID
2. Executive Summary; (not part of the word count)
3. Contents page.
4. Introduction.
5. Main body based on the thematic areas 2 – 6 above.
6. Discussion and Conclusion.
7. References.
8. Appendix – PowerPoint slides

The report should be page numbered. Please note if you are uncertain on how to present and structure a report then ask for assistance from your tutor. You are advised to use diagrams, illustrations, tables, graphics etc. wherever these are helpful, and remember that these do not count towards your word limit. If you do use these, please do not put them in the appendices if they are part of your discussion.